Money & Time Management

Learning to manage your money, as well as your time, is pretty important when you are a military family. Our hope is that this section introduces you to things that will help you in both areas. Each month we'll focus on one or two topics.

This month's topics: Homemade Laundry Soap and Make-your-own Mixes

Liquid Laundry Detergents

Recipe #1

3 Pints Water
1/3 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
2 Gallon Bucket
1 Quart Hot Water
Cold Water

Mix Fels Naptha soap in a saucepan with 3 pints of water, and heat on low until dissolved. Stir in Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until thickened, and remove from heat. Add 1 Quart Hot Water to 2 Gallon Bucket. Add soap mixture, and mix well. Fill bucket with cold water, and mix well. Set aside for 24 hours, or until mixture thickens. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load.

Recipe #2

Water
1 Bar Fels Naptha Soap, Grated
5 Gallon Bucket
1 Cup Washing Soda
4 1/2 Gallons Water

Place grated soap in a small saucepan and cover with water. Heat on low until dissolved. Fill bucket with hot water, and add soap. Stir to combine. Add 1 cup washing soda and mix well. As it cools it will thicken. May be used immediately. Use 1-2 cups per load.

Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 Cup Grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax

For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.

TIPS

Liquid detergent can also be used as a pretreater for stains.

Ivory Soap bars can be substituted for the Fels Naptha Soap.

Fels Naptha soap can be found by the laundry or bar soap

Washing soda, by Arm & Hammer can be found by the laundry detergent. DO NOT substitute with baking soda.

Borax can be found by the laundry detergent. It is in a big box and says "20 Mule Team® Borax".

Store your liquid detergents in old laundry detergent bottles if you have any. The detergent has a shelf life of about 6 months.

Laundry Softener

2 Cups White Vinegar
2 Cups Baking Soda
4 Cups Water

Combine slowly and carefully over sink. The baking soda and vinegar will fizz.
Pour into plastic bottle, cover, and shake.
*Hint - Reuse your old fabric softener bottle.

Use 1/4 cup in the final rinse or in a "Downy Ball".